HOUSTON -- Conoco Inc. announced a series of senior management changes yesterday, in an effort to "enhance our leadership capability and position Conoco for continued successful growth," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Archie Dunham said.

Philip L. Frederickson, vice president for business development since 1998, was promoted to senior vice president, corporate strategy and business development. Frederickson will be accountable for leading corporate strategic growth initiatives and for leveraging Conoco's integration strengths among the company's upstream, downstream and emerging businesses.

Tom Knudson, vice president of human resources, was promoted to senior vice president responsible for human resources, information management, corporate public affairs, corporate communications and corporate image and advertising. He will be accountable for ensuring world-class capabilities and alignment in these critical functions.

Mike Stinson was appointed senior vice president of government affairs to significantly increase the company's focus on key global governmental relationships, which underpin Conoco's growth efforts.

Frederickson, Knudson and Stinson will report directly to Dunham and become members of the Conoco Management and Executive Committees.

Several corporate finance officers were also promoted to vice president positions, the company announced. Sigmund L. Cornelius, treasurer, was named vice president and treasurer. W. David Welch, controller and principal accounting officer, was named vice president, controller and principal accounting officer, and Richard A. Sherry, general manager, tax and chief tax officer, was named vice president of tax.

Cornelius, Welch and Sherry will report to Robert W. Goldman, senior vice president, finance and CFO.